{"id":"2021_chevrolet_malibu","make":"Chevrolet","make_slug":"chevrolet","model":"Malibu","model_slug":"malibu","year":2021,"url":"/chevrolet/malibu/2021/","pts":["gas"],"configs":[{"id":42822,"model":"Malibu","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (variable gear ratios)","cyl":4,"displ":1.5,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":29,"hwy":36,"comb":32,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Midsize Cars","co2":273,"fe_score":7,"ghg_score":7,"fuel_cost":1950,"save_spend":1500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"GMX","modified":"Mon Nov 02 00:00:00 EST 2020"},{"id":42941,"model":"Malibu","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic 9-spd","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":22,"hwy":33,"comb":26,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Midsize Cars","co2":342,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2400,"save_spend":-750,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"GMX","modified":"Mon Nov 02 00:00:00 EST 2020"}],"vclass":"Midsize Cars","segment":"Midsize car","recalls":[{"campaign":"22V359000","component":"SEATS","mfr":"General Motors, LLC","reported":"2022-05-19","owner_notified":"2022-06-23","units":221,"summary":"General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles.  The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.","consequence":"An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.","remedy":"Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022.  Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006.  GM's number for this recall is N212356050.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"N212356050","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"21V649000","component":"SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS","mfr":"General Motors, LLC","reported":"2021-08-20","owner_notified":"2021-09-17","units":402,"summary":"General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles.  The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.","consequence":"An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.","remedy":"Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021.  Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006.  GM's number for this recall is N212333380.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"N212333380","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"}],"recall_count":2,"critical_count":0,"park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"score":84,"grade":"B","complaints":{"count":88,"crash":0,"fire":1,"injured":1,"deaths":0,"comps":[["Unspecified",30],["Electrical System",29],["Power Train",28],["Engine",14],["Fuel/Propulsion System",8],["Air Bags",6]],"by_year":{"2021":4,"2022":1,"2023":8,"2024":24,"2025":23,"2026":28},"excerpts":[["2024-08-10","Structure","Upper center brake light leaked allowing moisture and mildew to accumulate. Safety issue in how it affects my severe asthma."],["2024-07-30","Electrical System","Car is not registering that is in park. When I put the car in park the message on the dash will ding and say \"shift to park\" even though it is already in park."],["2024-06-16","Electrical System","The computer was not recognizing my car being in the correct gear shift. It did this for a few days until finally, I couldn't drive it. The car would not recognize any part of the gear being in the correct position. The car would not move forward or reverse, resulting in a tow. The mechanic at Reed Lallier Chevrolet in\u2026"]]},"investigations":[],"ncap":[{"desc":"4 DR FWD","overall":4,"frontal":5,"side":4,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.103,"seats":5,"fcw":"Optional","ldw":"Optional","aeb":"No","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null}],"popularity":999,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":32,"ncap":4,"complaints":88},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 05:01 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}